New manager and coach to be announced shortly: Mujeeb (23 July 1999)

23 July 1999

New manager and coach to be announced shortly: Mujeeb

The Dawn

Lahore, July 22: New manager and coach of the Pakistan cricket team will be announced soon and national selection committee will be re-constituted. A meeting has been fixed with the members of the team present in the country on July 26 (Monday) to discuss future scheme.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ad hoc committee chairman Mujib-ur-Rahman, while making the above-mentioned announcement, said at a crowded Press conference here at the Gaddafi Stadiumlate on Thursday evening that he had been assigned the task ofclearing the mess and run the cricket affairs on professional lines.

However, the gathering at the cricket headquarter comprised mostly the persons who do not belong to media!

"Yes! I met President of Pakistan Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, who is also patron of the PCB, on Thursday morning. He assured me full support in clearing up the allegations levelled on the team and the PCB and also establish an efficient set-up", said a determined-looking Mujib-ur-Rahman.

The ad hoc committee chairman said that he played cricket, hockey and football in his school and college days and established a cricket team in Doha, which has been winning top honours for the last seven years.

"More importantly, I have been running 20 companies with a strength of 2,000 employees. I have enough entrepreneurial ability to put the game on modern, professional lines. I have not been given any time-frame. Still, I hope to appoint professionals in key positions within a few weeks, who will have to deliver the goods within three months after their appointment or quit. I have advised the staff to stop over-spending. I am addressing a Press conference for the first time in my life. I am a man of action, basically", declared Mujib-ur-Rahman.

The ad hoc committee chairman said that international commitments would be honoured. I contacted the International Cricket Council (ICC) and cricket authorities of Holland and Denmark on Wednesday at 8 pm and sorted out matters of sending Pakistan "A" team for a tour to the two countries on July 24. "Since, all the defunct PCB Council members nominated two members, each, in the team, so my committee should not be held responsible for its performance", said ad hoc committee chairman.

A Cricket Academy is being established and about 100 players between the ages of 19 and 25 will get training round the year. For the first three months, each player will be educated and taught in mannerism. The Academy will be established at a place where the piece of land will be made available. "The Academy will throw up disciplined and talented players, who will replace the national stalwarts in the team", hoped Mujib-ur-Rahman.

He said that another priority was to revitalise cricket in schools, colleges and universities. Not only the dedicated, former Test cricketers but also the present stars would beasked to go to the educational institutions to train the players.

Mujib-ur-Rahman admitted that he himself was also investigating into the "match-fixing and betting allegations". He assuredthat the recommendations of theone-maninquiry commission of Justice Malik Muhammad Qayyum would also be implemented in letter and spirit.

"Those proven guilty will not be spared, howsoever big players or officials they may be. Of course, those found to be habitual will be severely punished. But those having minor guilt will be given a chance to mend their ways!" said the ad hoc committee chairman.

While replying to a question, Mujib-ur-Rahman said that he would welcome good ideas from all cricket lovers. "My aim is to mould the Pakistan cricket team into a disciplined and fighting combination. All fit and dedicated players will be encouraged and duly rewarded.

Source :: The Dawn(www.dawn.com)